By Oludamisi Ojo, Akure.
Non-availability of fuel and hike in pump price in few stations dispensing the product have persisted in Ondo state despite federal government assurances on the matter.
In Akure, the state capital only a few stations are dispensing at press time.
Motorists and other fuel users kept vigils without even being sure of getting the commodity at the end of the day.
Similar situations pervaded in other towns such as Owo, Okitipupa, Ore, Ondo, Igbara One and Idanre.
In Akoko with four local governments areas, only two stations, Bova in Akungba and AP at Jubilee area in Ikare sold for normal price whenever the product is available with a very long queue.
Selling prices in other filling stations in the Akokothe area range from N175 naira to N230 per litre.
Transport fares within Ikare, Arigidi and Akungba metropolis had gone up drastically between N100 and N120 per cent
For example, Arigidi to Ikare now N150 as against N70, Ikare to Akure N2000 instead of the usual N1000 before.
Activities of black marketers became noticeable along the road as they sell between N350 to N500 per litre based on the situation the buyer was in.
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Many stranded travellers without options were buying at any cost.
Some Market women blamed the high cost of commodities particularly foodstuffs on the fuel crisis.
A market woman leader in Ikare Alhaja Risikat Mohamed called on the government to have policies that would make life worth living for the commoners and average Nigerians.
A motorist, Abu Balogun from Afin- Akoko lamented that many people who had functions for this weekend are not finding it very easy due to the fuel situation.
Residents, therefore, urged the National Assembly to tell the whole world the outcome of their probes on adulterated fuel, while the federal government should sanitise the oil sector and bring about normalcy quickly.
